Agriculture Science Class Notes
Week 1 (Lesson 1)
Date: 6th January 2025
Grade: 7-8
Topic
Cultivation of Crops
Subtopic
Importance of Crop Cultivation
Specific Objective
- Explain the importance of crop cultivation.
Content
Benefits of Crop Cultivation:
- Food Production: Provides reliable food sources; staple crops include rice, corn, wheat, and cassava.
- Income Generation: Sale of crops supports livelihoods; cash crops like sugarcane and coffee are significant.
- Soil Health: Crops like legumes improve soil fertility; practices like crop rotation maintain soil nutrients.
- Raw Materials for Industry: Crops provide materials for industries, e.g., cotton for textiles.
- Environmental Benefits: Practices like cover cropping enhance biodiversity and prevent erosion.
- Food Security: Ensures the availability of food, reducing import dependence.
Homework:
- List examples of common crops and their uses (15 crops).
Activity:
- Class discussion on benefits of crop cultivation; list local crops and their uses.
Week 1 (Lesson 2)
Date: 9th January 2025
Subtopic
Types of Crops
Specific Objective
- Identify common crops grown in Guyana.
Content
Subsistence Crops:
- Grown primarily for family consumption, e.g., Yam, Cassava, Maize.
Cash Crops:
- Grown for sale, e.g., Sugarcane, Banana, Coffee.
Week 2 (Lesson 1)
Date: 13th January 2025
Subtopic
Steps in Cultivation
Specific Objective
- Outline steps in crop cultivation (land preparation, planting, care, and harvesting).
Content
- Site Selection: Choose suitable location considering soil, climate, and water availability.
- Land Preparation: Includes clearing, tilling, and leveling for optimal planting conditions.
Week 2 (Lesson 2)
Date: 17th January 2025
Subtopic
Steps in Cultivation
Content
Tools and Equipment
- Hoe
- Used for breaking soil, weeding, and shaping rows.
- Requires maintenance like cleaning and oiling.
- Machete
- Used for cutting and clearing vegetation.
- Needs regular sharpening and safe storage.
Week 3 (Lesson 1)
Date: 20th January 2025
Topic
Manures
Subtopic
Types of Manures
Specific Objectives
- Identify organic and inorganic manures.
Content
- Organic Manures
- Natural fertilizers like compost and animal manure.
- Improve soil structure and fertility sustainably.
- Inorganic Manures
- Synthetic fertilizers like Urea and Ammonium Nitrate.
- Provide quick nutrient absorption but may harm soil if overused.
Week 3 (Lesson 2)
Date: 23rd January 2025
Subtopic
Types of Manures
Specific Objectives
- Explain the importance of manures in crop production.
Content
- Manures provide essential nutrients (NPK) for plant growth and improve soil structure.
- Differences between organic and inorganic manures in nutrient release, soil health impact, and cost.
Week 4 (Lesson 1)
Date: 27th January 2025
Subtopic
Types of Manures
Specific Objectives
- Describe methods of applying manures.
Content
- Methods like broadcasting, band placement, and top-dressing affect nutrient absorption and environmental impact.
- Proper placement reduces waste and enhances crop yield.
Week 4 (Lesson 2)
Date: February 3rd 2025
Subtopic
Application of Manures
Content
Environmental Effects of Improper Manure Application
- Issues like eutrophication, soil degradation, and air pollution arise from poor manure management.
- Prevention methods include careful application, composting, soil testing, buffer zones, and proper storage.
Week 5 (Lesson 1)
Date: 6th February 2025
Topic
Introduction to Record Keeping
Subtopic
Importance of Records
Content
- Definition of record-keeping; tracks farm activities and financial transactions.
- Types include input/output, sales, inventory, financial, and health records.
Week 5 (Lesson 2)
Date: 10th February 2025
Subtopic
Importance of Records
Content
- Benefits include improved financial tracking, better decision-making, and enhanced productivity.
Week 6 (Lesson 1)
Date: 13th February 2025
Subtopic
Creating Simple Records
Content
- Examples of simple records include crop yield records, livestock feeding schedules, and sales records.
Week 6 (Lesson 2)
Date: 17th February 2025
Subtopic
Creating Simple Records
Content
- Steps to create and maintain farm records involve identifying needed records, using a consistent format, and storing data safely.
Week 7 (Lesson 1)
Date: 20th February 2025
Topic
Fish Culture and Rearing
Subtopic
Introduction to Fish Farming
Content
- Definition of fish farming and its importance for food, income, and conservation.
- Common farmed fish in Guyana include Tilapia, Tambaqui, Hassar, and Arapaima.
Week 7 (Lesson 2)
Date: 24th February 2025
Subtopic
Introduction to Fish Farming
Content
- Benefits of fish farming include food security, income generation, and environmental conservation.
Week 8 (Lesson 1)
Date: 3rd March 2025
Topic
Fish Culture and Rearing
Subtopic
Management Practices
Content
- Key practices in fish farming include proper feeding schedules and maintaining water quality.
Week 8 (Lesson 2)
Date: 6th March 2025
Subtopic
Management Practices
Content
- Controlling diseases in fish farms involves recognizing symptoms, causes, and prevention methods.